The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has taken a significant stride in higher education governance with the historic inauguration of the Board of Trustees for its newly established Trust Development Fund (TDF) — the first of its kind in a Nigerian university.
The event, held at the Akin Deko Auditorium on the Ugbowo Campus, was presided over by Professor Shuaib Umaru, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council. Stakeholders, alumni and academic leaders described the occasion as a milestone moment in the institution’s journey toward financial sustainability and development.
The UNIBEN Trust Development Fund was launched to diversify the university’s revenue base amid declining government allocations and rising operational demands. The Fund is designed to mobilise resources from alumni, organisations and well-wishers to support key capital projects, research initiatives, scholarships and student welfare programs in perpetuity. The Board of Trustees will be driven largely by UNIBEN alumni, chosen for their integrity, expertise and commitment to institutional advancement. At the inauguration, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a notable figure and former governorship candidate, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees — underscoring the calibre of leadership placed at the forefront of the fund’s drive.
Professor Shuaib Umaru, Pro-Chancellor, described the launch as a “historic milestone” in the university’s growth, adding that the initiative aligns with broad efforts to reposition public universities for sustainability and excellence while Professor Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor and an alumnus, emphasised the fund’s crucial role in securing long-term financial support and enhancing UNIBEN’s global relevance and competitiveness.
View the colorful pictures captured at the event:
